Hoses

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to hoses reinforced by metal cables. According to the invention, the reinforcement comprises two or more cables separated by a rubber layer, these cables being helically wound to form, with the axial direction of the hose, an angle equal to or greater than 70*, and preferably equal to or greater than 80*. The layers are crossed and the cables of one layer form, with the hose axial direction, an angle equal to and of sense opposite to that of said axial direction and the cables of said other layer. Supplementary reinforcement may be provided, if required, and comprising an extra thicker metal wire that is helically wound so that its convolutions form an angle not less than 80* with the hose axis or, alternatively, laminated rings located at right angles to the hose axis and constituted by concentric windings of metal strips: such supplementary reinforcement is located in the rubber layer located between the said cable layers.

United States Patent Robert Daniel Delaux, both of Clermont-Ferrand,France Champleboux et al. Oct. 23, 1973 [541 OSES 'Wlifiififl PATENTSOT!'APPLlCTIONS lnvemorsi J q J p Champleboux; s3s,492 7/1938 France138/130 Primary Examineb-l-lerbert F. Ross Attorney-Holcombe, Wetherill& Brisebois [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to hoses reinforced bymetal ca- [73] Assignee: Pneumatiques, Caoutchouc Manufacture EtPlastiques Kleber-Colombes, Colombes, France [22] Filed: Dec. 18, 1970[21] Appl. No.: 99,628

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 19, 1969 France 6944301 [52]US. Cl. 138/133, 138/129 [51] Int. Cl. F16] 11/08 [58] Field of Search138/129, 130, 131,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,151,307 3/1939 Smith138/130 2,482,702 9/1949 Billmeyer 138/130 X 2,090,794 8/1937 l'larrah138/130 X Zbles. According to the invention, the reinforcement comprisestwo or more cables separated by a rubber layer, these cables beinghelically wound to form, with i the axial direction of the hose, anangle equal to or greater than 70, and preferably equal to or greaterthan 80. The layers are crossed and the cables of one layer form, withthe hose axial direction, an angle equal to and of sense opposite tothat of said axial di- 1 rection and the cables of said other layer.Supplementary reinforcement may be provided, if required, and comprisingan extra thicker metal wire that is helically wound so that itsconvolutions form an angle not less than 80 with the hose axis or,alternatively, laminated 1 rings located at right angles to the hoseaxis and constituted by concentric windings of metal strips: suchsupplementary reinforcement is located in the rubber layer locatedbetween the said cable layers.

11 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures noses The present invention relates tohoses and, in order to simplify and clarify the description that is tofollow, certain terms and expressions which will be hereinafter used,are defined as follows: the expression depression shall mean thedifference between the external pressure and the internal pressure; theexpression position angle of an element shall mean that angle which theelement makes with the axial direction of the hose; crossed layers shallmean superimposed layers each formed of parallel elements, the positionangle of said elements of a layer being equal and of opposite sense tothat of the elements of the other layer; the expression rubber" shallsignify any supple and elastic material that is found suitable for thepurpose envisaged.

The invention relates to hoses and, more particularly, to suction hoses,that is to say, to hoses which are not easily crushable and are onlylittle deformed when they are utilised in conditions such that thedifferences between the positive pressure which is exerted on theexterior of the hose and the negative pressure that exists in theinterior thereof, attains relatively high values, for example 7 to 8bars or more. In any case, hoses according to the invention may alsowork under light delivery, that is to say, under conditions where theinternal pressure is higher than the external pressure, the differencesbetween the two pressures being small and, for example, being equal toor less than 2 bars.

ln point of fact, it is well-known how to design and manufacture suctionhoses intended to be used in the atmosphere, which are submitted toamaximum difference in pressure which, theoretically, may attain 1 barbut which, in fact, is ordinarily only a fraction of 1 bar. On the otherhand, several great difficulties are encountered when it is desired tomake suction hoses of large diameter intended to be used for exampleunder water and, moreover, at great depths, as in certain dredgingoperations and which are subjected to great differences in pressurereaching 7 to 8 bars or more; these difficulties are even greater thanthe hoses must, in general, withstand in all sorts of externalconditions.

The invention thus has for an object a hose which has a high resistanceto crushing and whose sectional shape geometry is preserved; it also hasfor an object a hose which not only has the properties previouslyreferred to but which may also be bent about relatively small radii ofcurvature (for example six times the hose diameter).

Hoses according to the invention are principally characterised in thattheir reinforcement is constituted by at least two spaced layersseparated by an intermediate layer of rubber (hereinafter referred tosimply as the intermediate rubber layer), and each formed of metalcables wound into a helix forming, with the axial direction of the hose,an angle equal to or greater than 70, preferably equal to or greaterthan 80, said layers being crossed in such a fashion that the cables ofthe one layer form, with the axial direction, an angle equal, and ofsense opposite to, that formed with said axial direction, by the cablesof the other layer.

A layer of metal cables may be adjoined to each of the layershereinabove referred to so that the reinforcement is thus constituted bytwo assemblies each formed by two layers and separated by a layer ofrubber.

If necessary, in order that the resistance of the hose to crushing maybe further increased, complementary stiffening members may be disposedin the intermediate rubber layer, constituted either by a helicallywound metal wire or by laminated rings or annuli formed by winding astrip on itself; such hoses possess a high longitudinal rigidity, andpreferred circumferential regions may be provided in which, if thisshall prove useful, the cylindrical zones, provided with thereinforcement previously referred to, alternate with bellows-formingzones in which the reinforcement is only constituted by two layers orassemblies of layers separated by the intermediate rubber layer.

Hoses have already been made wherein is provided a reinforcement formedby a metal wire wound in a helix and a crossed tissue fabric disposed oneither side of this helix. However, such hoses have certain majordisadvantages: they are too stiff longitudinally which prevents themtaking relatively small radii of curvature, they are very susceptible toaccident, and they perish generally by damage to the textile layers.

Suction hoses have also been made which, instead of having a helix of ametal wire, have rigid rings, generally of metal, precision machined toprecise specific dimensions for each hose diameter, and which areconnected rigidly to the hose so as to avoid crushing. In hoses of thistype, the rings, which in practice have no elasticity, not only createzones of high shear, but also, when subjected to high externalpressures, become irrevocably crushed, whereby the hose cannot recoverits original section. Moreover, these rings, used with fabric layers,inevitably create irregularities in the internal hose wall; theseirregularities are the source of disruptions which cause a rapid wear ofthe hose.

Moreover, these hoses, which must be manufactured with great precision,are extremely expensive; in addition, the fabrication of hoses providedwith these rings is long and complicated, since it is necessary tothread the rings without much play over a cylindrical part formed by thefinished hose or during manufacture thereof, and the hose must have thesame dimensions as the rings.

Moreover, this solution can only be used in hoses which have cylindricalzones and bellows zones, if the said bellows have a diameter less thanthe diameter of the cylindrical zones on which the rings must be fixed,that is to say, if the undulation of the bellows is on the inside of thehose.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, referencewill now be made to the accompanying drawings, which show certainembodiments thereof by way of example, and in which:

FIGS. la to 1d show sections through the straight wall of hosesaccording to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a hose according to the invention,

FIG. 3 shows cut away view of a hose according to the inventioncomprising cylindrical parts and a bellowforming parts,

FIG. 4 shows cut away perspective'view of a hose according to theinvention,

FIGS. 5 to 7 show different view of the elements constituting thearrangement of FIG. 4,

FIG. 8 shows a layer of cables used for making the hoses of theinvention, and

FIGS. 9 and 10 show in perspective view the bellows parts of a hoseaccording to the invention and are relative to a particular method ofmaking the said hose.

Referring now to the drawings, the reinforcement of hoses according tothe invention comprises two layers 2 and 3 or two assemblies of layers 2and 3 constituted by metal cables located in proximity to each face ofthe wall and separated by an intermediate rubber layer.

The reinforcement represented in FIG. 1a, is constituted by two crossedlayers 12 and 13 of metal disposed on either side of a layer 4 ofrubber, the thickness of which is generally between 0.03 and 0.005 timesthe internal diameter of the hose. The metal cables of the layers 12 and13, which are helically wound make with the axis of the hose, an angleequal to or greater than 70 and preferably equal to or greater than 80(82 in the embodiment); the helix formed by these cables is thus of veryshort pitch. The hose shown in FIG. 1a does not have a very greatdiameter, 150 mm, and may work at a depression of 1 bar.

The reinforcement of the hose shown in FIG. 1b differs from that of FIG.1a in that an additional layer, respectively 14 and 15, is adjoined toeach layer of cables 12 and 13. Thus, the reinforcement comprises twoassemblies of crossed layers 12-14 and 13-15, located on either side ofthe rubber layer 4.

In hoses such as those illustrated in certain Figures, in which thereinforcement comprises two double layers, the mutual crossing of thelayers may be effected in different ways without this interfering in anyappreciable way with the performance of the hose; the cables of thefirst layer and of the third layer may be in the same direction, whilstthe cables of the second and fourth layers may be in the oppositedirection, or else the cables of the two first layers may be in the samedirection, whilst the cables of the other-two layers may be in theopposite direction. Instead of constituting the previously referred toassemblies of two layers, they may be constituted by a larger number oflayers.

By forming the reinforcement of the hose of two assemblies of layers,their performance is improved, which allows either hoses of greaterdiameter to be made, working under identical conditions, or hoses of thesame diameter working under more difficult conditions.

The metal cables of the layers or assemblies of layers are of steel, andpreferably they only stretch slightly under traction, for example lessthan 1.2 percent under a load of 150 kg/mm of metal, and are onlyslightly compressible. For'example, they may be constituted by helicallywound steel wires or strands of wire, one steel wire or steel wirestrand additionally acting as a collar or hoop being externallyhelically wound and oflong opposite pitch; these metal cables which notonly are of slight stretch-ability but have a high resistance tocompression, are well-known per se, although they have never been usedin this way to form a reinforcement for hoses. In the embodiment, theyare formed of three identical strands each comprising six wires disposedaround a central wire constituting a core, and a wire wound round theassembly of three strands in a helix of longer and opposite pitch; thewires are of steel and have a diameter of 0.35 mm.

The metal wires are separated, the distances between the two axes of twoadjacent cables generally being between 1.1 and 2 times the diameter ofthe cables. For an easier understanding of the drawings, the layersconstituting the assemblies 2 and 3 of the hose according to FIG. lb andthe following Figures are shown separated from one another; inactuality, these layers are generally prepared by causing one layer ofparallel cables, formed by means of a frame or creel, to pass through acalender which costs it with rubber, the layer of rubber which separatesthese layers constituting the assemblies 2 and 3 is that positioned bythe calender; the thickness of such a layer is of the order of 0.1 to0.3 mm. I

It has been confirmed that, in a surprising fashion, such a hose has notonly a great resistance to crushing and not too high a longitudinalstiffness, but that it has no tendency to break when it is bent.

Apparently, this can be explained by the fact that the position angle ofthe reinforcing elements being about 90, this latter behaves a little asthough it were formed of transverse annuli, which is the constructionthat offers the greatest resistance to stresses normal to the wall, suchas those set up during depression. This rigid-' ity, which can bereferred to as transverse, is additionally increased by the small amountof both the extension or stretch and the compression of the elements ofthe reinforcement, and also by the girder effect which is due to thefact that the two assemblies 2 and 3 are fairly widely separated.

On the other hand, neither the disposition of the elements of thereinforcement, which are practically transverse, not the separation ofthe two assemblies 2 and 3, affect the longitudinal flexibility of thehose.

The premises appear to beconfirmed by the observation that if theposition angle of the reinforcing elements is decreased, these remainidentical by their constitution, the resistance to crushing diminishesvery quickly with the position angle, whilst the longitudinal rigidityof the hose increases.

If the metal cable layers are replaced by layers formed by a wovenfabric textile, which gives a construction similar to those alreadyknown, the hose will have a resistance to crushing which is considerablyless, a longitucinal rigidity that is considerably increased, and itwill be broken if it is bent.

The use of metal cables instead of textile fabric permits obtaining notonly a more resistant hose, but moreover a hose whose wall presents acertain elastic recall or memory, which ensures that, if hoses accordingto the invention are under the effect of an exterior stress, they canassume their original section, which neither hoses reinforced withtextile fabric nor those reinforced with metal wires can do.

A hose made with a reinforcement such as that shown in FIG. lb having adiameter of 300 mm may be subjected to depressions of 2 bars; if it isdesired to make hoses having better performance, complementaryrigidifying elements are disposed in the intermediaterubber layer.4,said complementary elements being constituted either by a metal wire offairly large diameter wound in a helix, or by foliated annuli made froma metal strip wound on itself.

In the hoses represented in FIG. 10, a metal wire 5 generally referredto as a piano wire'is helically 'wound at a position angle greater than(87 in the embodiment shown) and is embedded in the rubber layer 4. Thismetal wire which may, for example, be of circular section, is made fromsteel of high mechanical resistance, and its diameter which increaseswith increasing hose diameter, approximates to the thickness of theintermediate rubber layer 4; in the embodiments which are represented inFIGS. 2 and 3, the diameter of this piano wire 5 is 7 mm, the internaldiameter of the hose being 700 mm. The metal wire 5 may also, moreover,be of another metal and have another section from that shown, square orX-shaped, for example.

The helically wound wire 5 is a complementary rigidifying element; itimproves the performance of the hose considerably, since the hose shownin the embodiment may be subjected without damage to depressions of theorder of bars, for example, an immersion in water to a depth of 100 m.

For example, a hose as shown in FIG. 2 has been subjected to crushingstresses such that the diameter has been decreased by 30 percent; such ahose has recovered its original section after the crushing stresses havebeen removed. By comparison, hitherto available hoses do not regaintheir original shape even after the application of crushing stressesattaining values of the order of 3 to 5 percent.

Instead of using a helically wound wire as a complementary rigidifyingelement, there may be employed laminated rings which are of equalinterest for the properties which they give to the hose and by the easewith which they may be put into position. This is what is represented inFIG. 1d where the complementary rigidifying elements are laminated ringsor circles 6 located at 90 with reference to the axial direction of thehose. Each of these laminated rings is made during manufacture of thehose by winding over the layer or assembly of layers 3, a metal strip oftape having a mechanical elasticity and resistance high enough to obtaina laminated ring having the desired thickness which approximates to thatof the intermediate rubber layer 4. This strip is preferably of drawnsteel and is previously treated to obtain a maximum adherence of therubber to the metal. There has been shown in FIG. 5 a perspective viewof a laminated ring 6 such as may be made at the time of manufacturingthe hose.

For maintaining the concentric windings of each ring or circle 6 incontact, they are held solidly locked by clips 7 which surround thesection of the ring. These clips are preferably made from copper-coatedsteel and their quantity depends upon the diameter of the ring. Thus,for a hose of nominal diameter 200 mm, each laminated ring may have adiameter of 230 mm, and have eight clips equidistantly distributedaround its periphery.

FIG. 6 shows a section through a clip 7 such as is placed on the hoseduring manufacture, comprising a pocket 7a to receive the strip windingsfor which it acts as a guiding means so that the latter shall beautomatically covered without over-running at the side. When asufficient amount of strip material has been wound on, the two walls orsides of the clip are bent over and have the appearance shown in FIG. 6awhen the action is terminated.

If the ring must have a size such that the winding of the strip provesto be somewhat difficult, two or more rings (6a and 6b in FIG. 7) may bedisposed side by side and connected for example by a common clip 8.

The hose shown in FIG. 2 is identical to that of FIG. 1c: thus, itcomprises a metal wire 5 wound into a helix which constitutes thecomplementary stiffening element of the reinforcement.

Depending upon the conditions under which the hose is to be used, thereinforcement will or will not have a complementary rigidifying element.One or more layers of metal cables disposed on each side of thethickness of the rubber 4 will be sufficient if the internal diameter issmall, for example equal to or less than 200 mm and if the depression isless than 2 bars; on the other hand,

by using a metal wire 5 whose diameter increases as the requirements ofthe hose are increased, hoses having a diameter of 1,200 mm, operatingunder depressions of 10 bars and more, can be made. If the requirementsare to be even higher, the diameter of the wire 5 would then, however,become such that it would be difficult to wind it under tension.

Moreover, the helix is terminated at its ends in wellknown fashion, bymaking a ring which is closed and welded; this presents no difficultywhen the hose is fairly long, but if, as will hereinafter be seen, it isdesired to make parts comprising one or two convolutions only, thenecessity of making a ring at each end becomes increasingly awkward.

I-Ioses according to the invention may also make use of complementaryrigidifiers such as those shown in FIG. 1d and in FIGS. 4 to 7.

These rigidifying elements are, in this case, laminated rings or circles6 constituted by a metal strip wound on itself and which may at the sametime have any desired thickness and may be as close together as desired.It should be noted that such laminated rings do not produce, in hosesaccording to the invention, such irregularities as are caused by therings which are used with a textile reinforcement, because theassemblies of layers of metal cables mitigate against the appearance ofsuch irregularities.

The elastic recall or memory of these rings is greatly superior to thatof the machined rings hitherto used and equal to that of helical metalwires; this allows the hoses to be submitted to high depressions withoutattaining an irreversible oval shape for the hose section.

Hereinabove, it has been indicated that hoses according to the inventionhave a longitudinal rigidity which is less than that of hoses at presentknown; this is true and important but nevertheless thisrigidity is suchthat it does not allow the hose to be curved around a small radius, forexample, six times the hose diameter.

FIGS. 3 and 4 describe embodiments in which the form of the hose and thereinforcement of certain parts thereof have been modified in such amanner that the hose may be curved around small radii (six times itsdiameter) without reduction of its useful section.

The hose, instead of being uniformly cylindrical such as is shown inFIG. 2, comprises, for example (FIG. 3), a length X which is uniformlycylindrical, comparable to that of the hose of FIG. 2, and a length Ylocated in the region where a curve is to be made and composed ofcylindrical zones A and bellows-forming zones B. The length Y may alsobe disposed between two cylindrical lengths X of shorter dimension.

In the lengths X and in the zones A of the lengths Y, the reinforcementis generally constituted like that of the hose shown in FIG. 2, that isto say, by a wire 5 wound to a helical shape in such a fashion that itforms with the axial direction, an angle greater than 80 located betweentwo layers or assemblies of layers 2 and 3 of metal cables whoseposition angle is greater than as in all hoses according to theinvention, this helix may be replaced by laminated rings 6.

If the lengths Y or the zones A are very short, for example if theycorrespond to two or three convolutions of the helix, it becomesdifficult and quite awkward to dispose a wire in a helical shape, since,as has been explained hereinabove, it is necessary to form a ring ateach end of the wire. In the bellows the reinforcement is onlyconstituted by the two layers or assemblies of layers 2 and ,3, and thewire or rings 6 are omitted.

The bellows may be located on the inside (FIG. 3) of the hose, or on theoutside; generally, and in each case that it is possible, they arelocated on the outside in order that the useful section of the hoseshall not be decreased at this part, which would present variousdisadvantages.

When the hose curves, the external parts of the curvature stretch easilyand the internal parts retract or become compressed easily due to thepresence of the bellows of the zones B; a hose having a diameter of 700mm whose zones A are reinforced as in the hose of FIG. 1c may be curvedto radii equal to or even less than 6 times its diameter, without anydecrease in its useful section.

Experience has shown that the absence of the wire 5 or the rings 6 inthe zones B has no adverse influence on the resistance of the hose tocrushing. This can be explained by the fact that one part of theassemblies 2 and 3, separated from one another, present a hightransverse rigidity and that, on the other hand, the zones A, which aremuch more rigid, are integral with the zones B, which prevents them alsofrom becoming crushed.

Hoses according to the invention may be manufactured by processwell-known in the rubber industry. For example, a strip of rubber can bewound in a helix whose convolutions touch, on a suitable mandrel so asto form the internal part of the hose (or sheath); in a windingoperation, the layer or layers of the assembly 3 are located, the wire 5is helically wound or metal bands or strips are disposed so as to formthe laminated rings 6, the spaces separating the convolutions of thehelix formed by the wire 5 or the rings 6 are filled with rubber; thelayer or layers of the assembly 2 are located by another windingoperation, a further sheet of rubber is wound in a helix with touchingconvolutions so as to form the external part of the hose (its covering),and then the whole is laced or strapped and vulcanised.

Such a process is well suited to the manufacture of cylindrical hoseshaving no bellows.

On the other hand, if it is required to make hoses having bellows, theprocess previously referred to may also be used, but difficulties willbe encountered in putting in place the layers 2 and 3 (or the layers ofthe assemblies 2 and 3) on the undulated parts of the mandrelcorresponding to the bellows.

By calendering, there is embedded in the rubber, a layer of metalcables; this layer 9 of longitudinal metal cables (FIG. 8), is cut uptransversely into strips 10 at an angle a equal to a right angle lessthe position angle selected for the cable of the hose. These strips 10are turned by the angle a and placed end to end; there is thus obtaineda strip of parallel cables embedded in rubber, forming with thelongitudinal axis of this strip, an angle complementary to the angle a,that is to say, an angle equal to the position angle of the cables. Sucha method of operation is'well-known in the rubber industry and it istherefore not necessary to describe it more fully here.

The continuous strip thus made is cut up into strips of lesser width.These longitudinal strips are located, parallel to one another, on amandrel of appropriate form covered with a layer of rubber correspondingto the internal part of the hose, so as to cover the whole periphery:due to the fact that these cables, embedded in raw rubber, can becomeslightly displaced parallel to themselves, the strips will follow,without difficulty, the undulations corresponding to the bellows withoutaltering the angle which the cables themselves form with the axialdirection of the hose.

By proceeding in this fashion, the hose is no longer surrounded bycontinuous cables; it is thus necessary that the longitudinally locatedstrips should be connected together.

In order to effect this, the strips are located so that they partiallycover or overlap each other; the extent of the overlap is such that ittakes into account the adherence which it is known will obtain betweenthe cables and the rubber, and taking into account also, the qualitiesor properties of the rubber utilised, the connection between twosuperimposed strips must be sufficient that the strips do not becomeseparated under the stresses to which the hose will be subjected; thewidth of this overlap may be, according to requirements, from 1 to 15cm.

If, as in the example of the hoses shown in FIGS. lb to 7, assemblies ofcrossed layers are to be made, the strips are located simply byjuxtaposing them, and then, at the time of forming the second layer,strips of the same size are located and staggered, referred to thestrips already located, by half their width.

FIGS. 9 and 10 refer to this method of operation. As shown in FIG. 9,the strips 12 forming the lower layer of an assembly of layers, arelongitudinally and simple juxtaposed; as a result, at the location ofthe bellows, where the circumference is greater, there appear openings11. Then, as is shown in FIG. 10, on the strips 12, there are positionedstrips 13 whose cables form with the axial direction, an angle equal toand of sense opposite to, the angle which the cables of the strips 12make with this same direction; the strips 13 are also juxtaposed, butthey are staggered with respect to the strips 12 so that the edges ofeach strip 13 coincide with the median axes of the two strips 12. At thelocation of the bellows, openings 14 also appear between the strips 13,but these do not coincide with the openings 11 so that, at all places,there will always be found at least one layer of cables.

Thereafter, a layer of rubber corresponding to the layer 4 is positionedand then, in the same fashion, the upper layer or assembly of layers isformed, and a new layer of rubber corresponding to the external part ofthe hose (or covering) is positioned, whereafterit is laced or strappedand vulcanised.

If the reinforcement comprises simply two layers separated from eachother, the strips are disposed so that they mutually overlap.

If the reinforcement comprises two assemblies of crossed layers, it isgenerally preferred to operate in the fashion illustrated in FIGS. 9 and10. Experience has shown that, although there is only one single layerof cables at the locations corresponding to the openings 11 and 14, thisdoes not interfere with the good functioning of the hose; this isprobably due to the fact that the surfaces affected by these openingsare weak, and that the single layer to be found at these places isfirmly connected to the other layer.

Experience has also shown that hoses made by this method in which thereare no continuous cables surrounding the whole hose, have propertieswhich are as good as those of hoses made according to conventionalmethods in which continuous cables surround the hose. Care must alwaysbe taken, however, to ensure that the adherence between the cables andrubber in which they are embedded, is excellent.

We claim:

1. A hose for resisting substantially deforming external pressuresconsisting of a unitary rubbery sheath internally reinforced by metalreinforcement, said reinforcement comprising at least two pairs ofhelically wound metal cables, one pair disposed within the other pairwith the one pair being separated from the other pair by an interveningzone of rubber, said pairs of cables being located in proximity to therespective wall faces of said rubbery sheath, one of each pair of cablesbeing wound in a helix the convolutions of which form with thelongitudinal axis of said hose an angle of at least 70 and the second ofeach pair of cables also being wound in a helix the convolutions ofwhich form with said longitudinal axis an angle of at least 70 but woundin such manner as to form a crossed helix with respect to said firstcable of each pair and in spaced proximity to said first cable of eachpair.

2. A hose as claimed in claim 1 in which an additional helically woundmetal wire the convolutions of which form with the longitudinal axis ofsaid hose an angle of at least 80 is located within said interveningzone of rubber.

3. A hose as claimed in claim 2 in which said additional wire has anexternal diameter approximately equal to the thickness of saidintervening zone of rubher.

4. A hose as claimed in claim 1 in which a plurality of laminated metalrings having their diameters at an angle of 90 with respect to thelongitudinal axis of said hose are located within said intervening zoneof rubber.

5. A hose as claimed in claim 4 in which said laminated metal rings havean external diameter approximately equal to the thickness of saidintervening zone of rubber.

6. A hose as claimed in claim 1 which includes an alternating successionof cylindrical zones and bellowsforming zones, the reinforcement in saidcylindrical zones only including an additional helically wound metalwire the convolutions of which form with the longitudinal axis of saidhose an angle of at least 80, said additional wire being located withinsaid intervening zone of rubber.

7. A hose as claimed in claim 6 in which said additional wire has anexternal diameter approximately equal to the thickness of saidintervening layer of rubher.

8. A hose as claimed in claim 1 which includes an alternating successionof cylindrical zones and bellowsforming zones, the reinforcement in saidcylindrical zones only including a plurality of laminated metal ringshaving their diameters at an angle of 90 with respect to thelongitudinal axis of said hose, said laminated metal rings being locatedwithin said intervening layer of rubber.

9. A hose as claimed in claim 8 in which said laminated metal rings havean external diameter approximately equal to the thickness of saidintervening layer of rubber.

10. A hose as claimed in claim 6 in which said bellows-forming portionsare of greater diameter than said cylindrical zones of said hose.

11. A hose as claimed in claim 8 in which said belcylindrical zones ofsaid hose.

1. A hose for resisting substantially deforming external pressuresconsisting of a unitary rubbery sheath internally reinforced by metalreinforcement, said reinforcement comprising at least two pairs ofhelically wound metal cables, one pair disposed within the other pairwith the one pair being separated from the other pair by an interveningzone of rubber, said pairs of cables being located in proximity to therespective wall faces of said rubbery sheath, one of each pair of cablesbeing wound in a helix the convolutions of which form with thelongitudinal axis of said hose an angle of at least 70* and the secondof each pair of cables also being wound in a helix the convolutions ofwhich form with said longitudinal axis an angle of at least 70* butwound in such manner as to form a crossed helix with respect to saidfirst cable of each pair and in spaced proximity to said first cable ofeach pair.
 2. A hose as claimed in claim 1 in which an additionalhelically wound metal wire the convolutions of which form with thelongitudinal axis of said hose an angle of at least 80* is locatedwithin said intervening zone of rubber.
 3. A hose as claimed in claim 2in which said additional wire has an external diameter approximatelyequal to the thickness of said intervening zone of rubber.
 4. A hose asclaimed in claim 1 in which a plurality of laminated metal rings havingtheir diameters at an angle of 90* with respect to the longitudinal axisof said hose are located within said intervening zone of rubber.
 5. Ahose as claimed in claim 4 in which said laminated metal rings have anexternal diameter approximately equal to the thickness of saidintervening zone of rubber.
 6. A hose as claimed in claim 1 whichincludes an alternating succession of cylindrical zones andbellows-forming zones, the reinforcement in said cylindrical zones onlyincluding an additional helically wound metal wire the convolutions ofwhich forM with the longitudinal axis of said hose an angle of at least80*, said additional wire being located within said intervening zone ofrubber.
 7. A hose as claimed in claim 6 in which said additional wirehas an external diameter approximately equal to the thickness of saidintervening layer of rubber.
 8. A hose as claimed in claim 1 whichincludes an alternating succession of cylindrical zones andbellows-forming zones, the reinforcement in said cylindrical zones onlyincluding a plurality of laminated metal rings having their diameters atan angle of 90* with respect to the longitudinal axis of said hose, saidlaminated metal rings being located within said intervening layer ofrubber.
 9. A hose as claimed in claim 8 in which said laminated metalrings have an external diameter approximately equal to the thickness ofsaid intervening layer of rubber.
 10. A hose as claimed in claim 6 inwhich said bellows-forming portions are of greater diameter than saidcylindrical zones of said hose.
 11. A hose as claimed in claim 8 inwhich said bellows-forming portions are of greater diameter than saidcylindrical zones of said hose.